Adult Van, a solitary soul, manages a quaint video rental haven where vintage VHS tapes and vintage VCRs coexist, offering a nostalgic escape for movie enthusiasts. As Tai steps through the threshold, their greetings are cut short by Van's sudden collapse into unconsciousness.
Meanwhile, Matt, Kevyn's police partner, persists in delicately prying deeper into Callie's knowledge of Adam's case, their bond strengthening over a friendly game of bowling. Callie yearns to take their connection to the next level, but Matt, ever the gentleman, gently steers them towards taking things slow, cherishing each moment before physical intimacy. When the check arrives, and Matt is momentarily absent, Callie surreptitiously uncovers his true identity through a digital sleuthing, choosing to veil her discovery with a contrived tale about Shauna and Randy to divert suspicion from herself. Later, she confesses all to Jeff and Shauna, eliciting diverging reactions: one of enthusiasm and the other, hesitance.
Elsewhere, Walter and Misty's road trip weaves them closer to the enigmatic camp's whereabouts, their journey fueled by Misty's vague yet promising lead. Despite Misty's lingering doubts about pursuing a romantic entanglement with Walter, his affection for her is unwavering. As they spy the commune's gateway, their path crosses with Natalie's, who, armed with Lisa's stolen keys, is on a singular mission to infiltrate Lottie's sanctuary. Natalie, mistaking their presence for a rescue attempt, fiercely wards them off, fearful of her schemes being unraveled. Misty is stunned by the revelation of Lottie's secret life and Natalie's ferocity, spinning theories about jealousy fueling Lottie's actions towards her and Natalie's closeness.
Just as things seem to settle, a bizarre déjà vu hits Misty as Walter, following up on her tale about Adam's mother, accuses her of Adam's murder. The accusation, coupled with the specter of Walter's murderous grandmother, leaves Misty feeling cornered and betrayed. Despite Walter's assurance of his feelings, Misty calls an abrupt halt to their budding romance, abandoning the car and their shared journey.
Jeff and Shauna devise a cunning scheme with Randy, luring him to a secluded motel, all while anticipating the tails of Kevyn and Matt. The police, seemingly fooled, are convinced of a clandestine romance brewing between Shauna and Randy. Randy's mention of FBI inquiries stirs unease within Shauna, prompting her to devise an even more damning piece of evidence. She cunningly suggests to Randy that he should simulate intimacy by inserting a condom and discarding it in the trash, further fueling the illusion for the authorities.
A quarrel erupts between Tai and Van, with Tai's fragile facade shattering as she breaks down in tears, beseeching Van not to be entangled in her turmoil once more. Natalie's intrusion into their world uncovers damning proof of Lottie's sinister manipulation over the commune's inhabitants. Boldly, she confronts Lottie in front of the gathered group, only to find that the revelation is not as shocking as she had anticipated; they were already privy to the truth.
Shauna's elaborate plan teeters on the brink of success, until Matt's keen nose detects the ruse. Sniffing out the artificial scent of strawberry lotion within the ostensibly used condom, he realizes Randy's impotence and the creative use of the lotion as a substitute. Kevyn and Matt acknowledge their cover blown, yet Shauna's battle with Matt rages on.
In an unexpected turn, "the other Tai" rises, her words echoing with a sinister tone as she addresses Van, declaring their unauthorized presence. Furthermore, hints of Van's declining health emerge as she quietly consumes oxycodone tablets, suggesting a battle with cancer lurking beneath the surface.
Lottie, with a calming presence, defuses Natalie's anger, hypnotizing her into recalling a haunting memory. As Natalie's mind is transported back to a fateful night where she and Travis indulged in drugs, leading to her overdose, she recalls a terrifying vision—a dark, menacing figure emerging from the woods, following them back. As Lottie's gaze wanders, a chilling silhouette of antlers materializes above her, leaving one to ponder—is the darkness that lurks within her own soul?
